June sees unemployment rates go up

The three local Mid-Michigan Metropolitan Statistical Areas all saw an increase in non-seasonally adjusted jobless rates in June.

"The local rate gains were among the smallest among metro areas in the state," said Evan Linskey, economic analyst with the Michigan Department of Technology, Management and Budget.

With a rate advance of 0.3 percentage points, Midland had the smallest gain of any MSA in the state. Bay City, and Saginaw had rate increases of 0.4 percentage points. The state rate was up by 0.5 percentage points in June. With the small advancement, Midland now has a slightly lower jobless rate at 4.2 percent than the state at 4.3 percent. Even with the monthly upswing, all three MSAs have jobless rates well below June 2017.

Midland's jobless rate of 4.2 percent is up from 3.9 percent in May. Also, during June, the unemployment rate rose from 1,600 to 1,700; employment also rose from 39,300 to 39,500 and the labor force increased from 40,900 to 41,200. At the end of June 2017, the jobless rate stood at 4.6 percent, unemployment was 1,900, employment stood at 39,300 and the labor force was identical to June 2018 at 41,200.

Bay City's jobless rate rose from 4.7 percent in May to 5.1 percent in June, while unemployment increased from 2,400 to 2,600. Employment also saw an uptick from 48,500 to 49,000. The labor force went from 50,900 to 51,600. At the end of June 2017, the jobless rate stood at 5.6 percent, unemployment was 2,900, employment stood at 48,600 and the labor force was 51,400.

Saginaw's jobless rate rose from 4.6 percent in May to 5 percent in June while unemployment also saw an uptick from 4,000 to 4,400. Employment rose from 83,600 to 84,500 while the labor force also grew from 87,600 to 88,900. At the end of June 2017, the jobless rate was 5.4 percent, unemployment stood at 4,800, employment was 83,700 and the labor force stood at 88,500.

Gladwin's jobless rate increased from 5.2 percent in May to 5.6 percent in June. The rate was at 6.2 percent at the end of June 2017.

Isabella also saw an increase in its jobless rate during June, from 3.8 percent in May to 4.5 percent. The rate was 5.2 percent at the end of June 2017.